Measure for measure

The data economy is evolving rapidly, bringing investment opportunities in network infrastructure, memory, storage and cybersecurity, as Jason Bohnet explains.

An improvement in relations between the US and North Korea is good news for investors, writes Ed Wiltshire.

James Balfour considers the implications of a tie-up between Sainsbury’s and Asda on the grocery retailing sector.

With sentiment towards equities having taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, we consider where markets may be heading and what action, if any, investors should take.

Global shares suffered their first monthly decline in over a year as the prospect of looser US fiscal policy weighed on bond markets amid concern US interest rates will rise faster as inflation creeps up.

Even when taking account of currency movements and varying economic growth in both countries, US equities have comprehensively outpaced equities on this side of the Atlantic. Giles Parkinson discusses the US stock market’s outperformance.

The US economy is enjoying its third longest span of uninterrupted growth since records began. While some argue it is a matter of time until the next recession arrives, the alarm bells are not ringing just yet.

Diversification has fallen out of favour in UK boardrooms over recent decades. The recent trend towards making existing assets work even harder could be a better approach, says Trevor Green.

A new pilot scheme could give investors greater access to China’s vast equity market. But the project may also affect the performance of existing Hong Kong-listed shares, says Will Ballard.

Richard Saldanha discusses the outlook for global equities.

The rise of the newly-affluent millennial generation is disrupting traditional industries in emerging markets – and bringing new risks and opportunities for investors.

Our equities fund managers give their thoughts on what investors should look out for in the coming year.